European Animation and Independent Animation News

50 Projects Selected For Animation Production Days 2019

The projects will be pitched during the 13th edition of Animation Production Days (APD) in Stuttgart.

With a total of 84, more animation projects than ever before have been submitted for the 13th edition of Animation Production Days (APD) in Stuttgart.

The jury selected 50 of these projects from 17 different countries to be presented at APD. On 2 and 3 May 2019 the producers of these projects will discuss coproduction and financing opportunities with potential partners in a series of pre-planned one-to-one meetings in Stuttgart's L-Bank.

APD is the most important business platform for animation projects in Germany and takes place as part of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film and the FMX – Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Immersive Media. Around a third of the projects presented here in previous years have now gone on to be successfully produced.

The large number and consistent high quality of the submitted projects are indicative of a continually expanding industry in which a spirit of optimism prevails. In comparison to live-action film, and despite fierce competition, European animation has a successful track record on the international market. The submissions also reflect the great diversity of genres, formats, styles and techniques that distinguish animation. Alongside classical series and films, also cross-media projects, Games, VR projects and online formats are represented, including numerous projects for teenage and adult target audiences. Topics range from edutainment, comedy, adventure stories and fantasy for kids to historical and political material, animated documentaries, satire and science fiction.

Of the 50 selected projects, 19 are from Germany. And with 10 projects, Danish production companies are strongly represented. The total production budget for the selected projects is around 180 million Euros.

9 projects are from newcomers who have gained a place via an application to the APD Talent Programme. This year, as part of its funding from the Creative Europe MEDIA programme, APD can award a total of 15 free accreditations to outstanding young talents. At APD they are given the opportunity to discuss their ideas with seasoned industry experts, develop contacts with important decision-makers and find cooperation partners for their projects. One example of this is the short film “Crabs” from Poland which was pitched during CEE Animation Forum (as Come Undone, winning a special mention and the Playade Postproduction Award, and an Animation Sans Frontières scholarship).

The demand for new content for the growing number of linear and non-linear platforms is high. At APD, programme buyers, investors and potential co-producers can find exciting new projects and give producers feedback on the requirements of the various European markets. Numerous national and international broadcasters and distributors will be there, including BBC Children's, Canal+, DHX Media, Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE), France Télévisions, Hessischer Rundfunk (HR), KiKA, Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), Sony Pictures Television Networks, Südwestrundfunk (SWR), Turner Broadcasting Systems Europe, The Walt Disney Company, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF), Entertainment One, Federation Kids & Family, Jetpack Distribution, Motion Pictures Entertainment, Pink Parrot Media, Sola Media GmbH, Wild Bunch Germany, Newen Distribution, SUPERIGHTS, Zodiak Kids. SVoD platforms like Amazon and Hopster have likewise confirmed their participation and national and international funding bodies will also attend. The registration deadline for investors and financiers is still open until 8 March 2019.

Animation Production Days (APD) is a business platform for the international animation industry and takes place annually as part of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film and FMX – Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Immersive Media. APD is organised by the Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH and the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. It brings together co-production, financing and distribution partners for animation projects in a series of one-to-one meetings and, with the APD Conference, offers focused discussions and presentations on current challenges facing the industry.

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Zippy Frames is a online portal for European and independent animation worldwide since 2011. We publish news and reviews, cover animation festivals, host short films, and update on pitching calls and academic news.
Represented by Scheriaa Productions.